December 31st is New Years Eve, which means wherever in the world you may be at midnight the traditional strains of ‘Auld Lang Syne’ may reverberate. The reason for the writing of the song is not known for sure, nor is when it was written, but the prominent belief is the roots of the song date back to seventeenth century Scotland. When translated into English, the phrase ‘Auld Lang Syne” means “for the sake of old times,” or a reasonable facsimile thereof.

Because it’s New Year’s Eve, “for the sake of old times” refers to what transpired over the past 365 days. At midnight, when you lift whatever you are imbibing to the sky are you sincere about “for the sake of old times,” or is it a false acclamation? Is your thankfulness about what transpired over the past year sincere, or are you sincerely thankful what transpired over the past year is over? You may be the only one that knows the answer to that question, which leads to the next question, what do you intend to do about either continuing, or altering, what transpired in the last year?

The first and most critical question is: did whatever transpired over the past year in your life have eternal significance? Do you understand what it means when Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life, no one comes to the Father but through Me,” Jn.14:6 NASB. If you do, you are spiritually alive and understand being a ‘believer’ is only the beginning. After God draws you to Himself, your entire life radiates the fact you belong to Him, and through the indwelling Holy Spirit you exponentially live the life He directs. This, and only this, should be your basis of “for the sake of old times.”

“For the sake of old times” has nothing to do with the amount of money you make, the size of your house, or the make, model and year of automobile you drive. Materialism provides no security because is transitory, and can be here today and gone tomorrow. However, the way you respond to your possessions and treat those around you depicts what you really are, and builds your legacy. Often, the way you treat others is the way they treat others, and that becomes your legacy. Then, people say your legacies remind them of you, and you live on through them. Thus, be aware of your relationship with your Creator; make Him the foundation for your ‘Auld Lang Syne.’ When you lift your toast to the sky anticipate the day you will hear those precious words from Him… “Well done, good and faithful slave. You were faithful with a few things I will put you in charge of many things; enter into the joy of your master,” Matt. 25:21 NASB.